Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-12-07


Majesty. turning toward the cup
bearer. said; Hand that TO Choquart.
and give him my compliments. DO
you hear mo nowa"
"But, Monsieur Choquart, I assure
you
IL say that you have no Madeira,
SIR" screeched Choquart. who had
grown furious, and brought his hand
down with terrific force on the wooden
counter. IF you once more dare to
say that you have Madeira wine I'll
tear your head clean off from your
shoulders!-And what else did you say
you hadp"
"Well," said the merchant, who was
somewhat staggered at this sudden fit
OF passion. i've leg of mutton with
kidney-beans."
"a leg of mutton" said Choquart,
in soft tone of voice, that's good,
when well roasted. But I'm confident
twill be overdons. Havc you got such
thing rs a spitp"
"A spitp I should say had" burst
out M. Ballu, with kindling eyes
only just pass this way. gentlemen
and see for yourselves.
The merchant lot us into q comfort
able back shop. which answered the
purpose Of dining-room. There on
the hearth, in front of bright blazing
fire, fine leg of mutton majestically
turned on nspit, like planet round
the sun.
THAT looks NICE" remarked Cho-
quart, after q moment Of silent con-
temptation. you are not altogether
an idiot. A man who knows the worth
OF spit deserves to live. But why
don't you haste your leg Of muttonp"
So saying Choquart took up the ladlc.
and began pouring over the meat the
rich steaming Juice. At that moment
the merchants wife came In.
"Ah. good day. madame. good day
to you'll" said Choquart, as he leant
over and deluged the savory roast
well, you see what has happened.
Your husband isn't dead after all
Dear me, how shall we get to arrange
the matterp IT'S very provoking,
very"
"Alas, sir, twas a severe trial. God.
in His goodness, has spared his life.
trust the lesson will be of service to
him."
God In His goodnessp" went on
muttering Choquart That's al very
we'll. But we haven't settled our
little difficulty as yet"
Come, now, Choquart," said !,
interrupting him pretty sharply,
we've had enough ON that score. NJ
Ballu has rendered you his best ex-
cusos in my presence and cordially In.
vited you to dinner. What moro do
you wantp"
Dear me-" said Choquart, still
fascinated by the leg of mutton. II do
think it is beginning to burn at the
joint"
The difficulty was now over. and the
duelist completely disarmed. We all
had dinner. Choquart recountered
his duels to the upholsterer, and drank
with great gusto his spurious "
MADEIRA.
Choquart died in poverty. For
over twenty years hc had lived on a
small pension granted him by the
Comte de Chambord. When, how
ever, he received five hundred francs,
his wont was to give his friends sup
per which cost the Same sum, so that
on certain days of the year he went
supperless to bod. Still, he was ex-
tremely punctilious in money matters.
Another chapter will throw light on
this side of his character.
Several years ago, we wcrc supping,
after midnight, ut the Vaudeville cof-
fee-houso. Among those present were
Bouffe, the lessee and manager Of the
Vaudeville Theater; Briffaut, the jour-
nalist; DR.. Lallemand, who was the
proprietor Of the Passage Radziwill;
an old notary Of tho name of Dubois;
Armand Marrast. then writer on the
staff of the Tribune; an old sheriff's
officer, called Mouton. and Choquart.
The latter had. as usual, grown ten
der over the fate of the Princes belong
ing to the elder line; and Mouton, the
sheriff's officer. whose political SYM
pathies inclined toward the Republic,
went so far as to say that Charles x.
was all old idiot. At this, Choquart,
pale with rage, rose from his seat, and
said to Mouton:
Il have taken an oath to slap the
| face of any man who insults my
King. shall now, therefore, slap
yours"
The situation was exceedingly grave,
and every body felt dreadfully uncom-
Portable. Choquart suddenly stopped
short, and said:
Dear mo! ! owe Mouton q louis.
and can not strike him without first
reimbursing the money. 1t would be
ungentlemanly in me to act otherwise.
Briffaut, lend mo louis, will you, that
I may slap Mouton's facep"
II have no change" answered Brit
faut.
"Bouffe, quick, lend me louis, that
may cuff Mouton's earsr'
my dear Choquart, replied Boufte.
II shall be only too happy to lend you
four times the amount outside of this
place. but I can not lend you louis
for the purpose you mention"
At that moment entered tho coffee
house.
"Ah! here comes Vilemot," OK.
claimed Choquart. and bounding TO.
ward me he said. hurricdly: LEND
me louis. Quickl I want to box
Mouton's ears, and delicacy requires
that should first give back the louis
/ owe him."
was at loss to make out what he
meant.
Don't lend IL, don't lend itr' cried
out those who were present.
IL A. G.